The Path to Recovery: How Lawyers Can Identify and Overcome Substance Use Challenges

April 15th, 2026 12:00 PM CST

From the seemingly endless deadlines to handling difficult clients, the daily pressure and stress that lawyers experience can often lead to substance use disorders. Unfortunately, addiction and substance abuse can result in violation of your ethical duties to clients and put you at risk for malpractice claims or grievances. Thankfully, numerous resources are available for those attorneys seeking the tools to help themselves or a fellow lawyer. Erica Grigg, J.D., Grigg Counseling, and Michelle Fontenot, J.D., Director of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program, will examine the ethical implications of addiction in the profession while sharing their compelling stories of recovery. Our speakers will offer invaluable guidance for helping lawyers, whether they are seeking assistance on their own journey to recovery and wellness, or need resources to help a colleague. Join us for this thoughtful discussion of how to identify and combat substance use disorders in the legal profession.

Meet the Speakers

Erica Grigg, J.D.

Michelle Fontenot

CLE Approvals

AL – 1 general credit

CA – 1 ethics credit

CO – 1 ethics credit

CT – 1 ethics credit

FL – 1 general credit

GA – 1 general credit

HI – 1 ethics credit

IA- 1 general credit

IL – 1 general credit

ID – 1 ethics credit

IN – 1 ethics credit

KS – 1 ethics credit

KY –

LA – 1 professionalism credit

ME – 1 ethics credit

MN – 1 general

MO – 1.2 ethics credit

MS –

MT –  1 ethics credit

NC – 1 general credit

ND – 1 ethics credit

NE – 1 general credit

NJ – 1 ethics credit

NM – 1 ethics credit

NV – 1 AAMH credit

OH – 1 general credit

OK – 1 ethics credit

PA – 1 ethics credit

RI –

SC – 1 general credit

TN – 1 general credit

TX – 1 general credit

UT – 1 general credit

VA – 1 general credit

VT –

WA – 1 ethics credit

WI – 1 lau credit

WY – 1 general credit